Science-ing it up
Okay, first I have to admit that I took no notes this day, and didn’t write the travel entry until November 8, so much of this day is likely made up from fragments of memories that don’t quite match up to real events.
We first woke up and went to the coffee shop early. Our first stop of the day was the duomo. There was a huge line but because there was still shade that early, we decided to stand in line for the church (and world heritage site) only. While most of the other tourists in the line up got the same message that we had about proper attire in churches, many people hadn’t and were turned away at the door. The vendors selling “modesty scarves” were doing a brisk business.
The Duomo was HUGE inside. As Rick Steve’s said (and quoted by Kinga) “not worth paying for” but the paintings under the dome were outstanding and the mosiac, beautiful. I’m glad we didn’t climb it because it was already SO hot. Only when looking up and seeing everyone at the top of the dome could I appreciate how big the dome was.
With no real plans on the agenda, I got up with the sole purpose of visiting the Galileo Museum, and was delighted to find out that everyone wanted to come along! As it turned out, the museum was more of a general science museum than a museum specifically dedicated to Galileo, although it DID contain the only two remaining telescopes of his that are still in existence. This was a bit of a thrill for me…
Real Galileo telescopes! *swoon*
There was also this very excellent bust of Galileo for me to pose next to.
Risa and her secret BF
Apart from the Galileo memorabilia, the museum was full of artifacts from many areas of science, such as medical science (including a very large section on how to birth abnormally positioned babies), chemistry, time-keeping, cartography, electromagnetism, time-keeping and physics.
An interesting collection of timepieces.
Chrystal was particularly enamoured with a fabulous apothecary table and an intriguing periodic table.
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I also liked this inspiring message, which basically suggests that it is the job of the scientist to make science interesting and entertaining.
We had lunch at a family-style restaurant on a narrow street. Other people were lining up at the sandwich place next door, but we went inside and sat at the back. Great service and good food. Panzanella sandwich, manabrea. I did more shopping on the way back, and Risa and I bought wooden spoons at “La Bottega del Chianti” (olio, vino, legno d’olivo e crème). Just as we arrived at our street, the wind started. We ran as the first drops fell and got inside as it started to absolutely pour. Thunder! Lighting! Rain! Wet laundry! People started to pack and nap. Napping seemed like the perfect thing to do on a late Friday afternoon.
As this was to be our last night in Florence, we went for a nice dinner where we took advantage of several photo-ops. I don’t remember where or what we ate, but I do remember feeling kind of sad that we all leave tomorrow.
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The place was a pizzeria, bar and restaurant all linked together but the service from one place to another was separate. The waiter was young and cute but never warmed to us. I had ravioli and only one glass of wine. We went to have Gelato at the good gelato place and I had strawberry and peach. Kinga had…RASPBERRY! The best. Had I only known, I would have eaten it all week.
Back at the apartment, we met up with our neighbour Gianna and were treated to a tour of the apartment above us, which she rents. It was a beautiful apartment, newly renovated with an even more amazing view. However it was quite a bit smaller, with a much smaller terrace. I think we would have been tripping over each other if we had stayed there, but it looked like a great place for a family, or maybe 2 couples. Before she left, we had a nice conversation with the help of Google Translate, and told her we’d be happy to recommend the apartment on Airbnb.
Ciao to Gianna and Leo (389 83 94 848) Apparently there is a website: http://www.florentapartments.com/en
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Finally, we took a quick Happy 50th picture of Risa and Andi. Party of the Year indeed!
Buon compleanno!
The next day was departures. Jane left first at 4am, with Chrystal thoughtfully waiting with her outside for her taxi. Actually, I had another assignment. Jane was a cover….
Sofia and I headed to the train station to head back to Rome. Andi, Kinga and Chrystal were off to the airport to fly to London.
Another awesome language experience where I was trying to ensure that the taxi was taking us to the CITY airport because apparently there are TWO. The guy got really irritated and yelled “I don’t speak English” in Italian.. Once we got to the airport we learned that there was now only ONE airport. Don’t ask me what happened to the other one. We went to London. Kinga and Andi tried to kill me by making me walk 49587 kilometers in one day. That is a story for another day…
Thank you Florence, for a great week! Until our next trip, Snack Friends!
